Job description
The Village of Brookfield is seeking qualified applicants for the full-time position of Director of Public Works. The salary range for the position is $117,096 - $152,225. The Village provides a full complement of benefits including paid vacation, paid holidays, personal days, and sick days. Additional benefits include health and life insurance, participation in the Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund (IMRF), and deferred compensation plans. The Director of Public Works position is an exempt, non-union position who reports directly to the Village Manager.
ABOUT BROOKFIELD
The Village of Brookfield, population 19,476, is a vibrant, diverse community located 13 miles west of downtown Chicago that offers convenient transportation with numerous community amenities including respected schools, an excellent library, three Metra train stations and a parks and recreation system. This non-home rule municipality is home to the Brookfield Zoo, owned by the Cook County Forest Preserve District and operated by the Chicago Zoological Society. Brookfield is a full-service community with a total budget of $45 million and 91 full-time employees. Village departments include Village Manager’s Office, Finance, Community Development, Fire, Police, Public Works, and Parks and Recreation.
ABOUT THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT
The Public Works Department is responsible for maintaining and enhancing the physical environment and infrastructure of the Village through oversight of all municipally owned facilities and utilities. The Department has 20 full-time employees and an annual operating budget of approximately $3.8 million. The Foreman, Chief Mechanic, Mechanic, and Maintenance Worker positions are represented by Teamsters Local 705.
POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES & DUTIES
- Plans, coordinates, directs, and supervises the programs and activities of the department including street maintenance, snow removal operations, ground and tree maintenance, storm and sanitary sewer maintenance, water operations, automotive maintenance, parks and playground maintenance, and related activities; confers with staff and other officials on issues related to activities.
- Interprets Village policies and develops and implements appropriate department rules, regulations, and policies; establishes recordkeeping procedures, methods, and standard operating procedures.
- Prepares and administers departmental operating budget; develops long-range plans for facilities and infrastructure improvements; coordinates and administers capital improvements.
- Evaluates needs and formulates long-term and short-term plans to meet needs in all areas of responsibility, including streets, sidewalks, sewers, forestry, facilities, and traffic control.
- Oversee and direct the work of the contractual Village engineer.
- Maintains regular contact with and supervises construction project engineers.
- Prepares employee payroll records; coordinates departmental purchases; prepares monthly reports and public works materials for Village Board meeting agendas.
- Reviews and approves the purchase of equipment, materials, and supplies; approves departmental expenditures.
- Trains, schedules, prioritizes, supervises, and evaluates the work of department staff either directly or through a subordinate supervisor.
- Coordinates Public Works Department assistance during Village emergency operations.
- Actively seeks grants that promote effectiveness in department operations.
- Coordinates the preparation of and reviews plans, specifications, and cost estimates for purchase of various equipment and vehicles, and for construction and repair projects; prepares recommendations to the Village Manager.
- Attends meetings of local, county, state, and regional agencies related to public works activities; receives citizen complaints and requests; responds to requests for information and assistance from citizens and outside agencies and organizations.
- Serves as Village liaison for utilities.
- Promotes and maintains responsive community relations.
- Promotes and adheres to all departmental and Village safety policies.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering, Public Administration, or related field required; Master’s degree preferred.
- Five (5) to seven (7) years of experience in municipal public works operations, including experience in a supervisory or managerial capacity.
- Experience relating to the construction, repair, and maintenance of streets, water mains, alleys, parks and playgrounds, trees, equipment, and public facilities.
- Must possess a valid Illinois driver’s license.
- Thorough knowledge of the principles of public works and public utilities.
- Thorough knowledge of the technical aspects of the various programs associated with the Department of Public Works.
- Thorough knowledge of construction contract administration and estimating of cost of construction work.
- Ability to plan, organize, direct, coordinate, and evaluate the work of employees completing programs of the department.
- Ability to analyze and recommend solutions to complex public works and utility problems.
- Ability to conduct studies, write in-depth reports, and translate technical information into laymen’s terms.
- Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
- Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with other Village departments, employees, officials, and the public.
PREFERRED MANAGEMENT STYLE
- Have complete personal and professional integrity, gaining respect and inspiring the trust and confidence of subordinates, co-workers, and elected/appointed officials, as well as the general public.
- Be a clear and concise communicator. Be able to present complex technical information to any audience in a manner that is understandable and jargon-free.
- Have a genuine passion for public service from both an internal, department standpoint and for service to the community; be devoted to customer, community, and departmental service.
- Be a highly motivated, goal-oriented leader with a proven ability to quickly earn respect, gain cooperation, and communicate clear direction. Be able to give and take constructive criticism. Have a high-energy level and enthusiasm for meeting the challenges and responsibilities of the Director of Parks and Recreation position; have a good work ethic.
- Be a critical analyst and creative thinker. Be imaginative in solving problems, encouraging, and empowering employees to find new and better ways to get work done, while also applying, maintaining, and respecting the regulatory framework that guides the delivery of municipal and recreation services.
- Be a positive and flexible team builder who is committed to the well-being of the staff, one who works with staff to identify departmental needs and finds solutions which meet those challenges. Be a leader who defends his/her staff when appropriate and holds the team accountable.
- Have the ability to set high standards of performance, productivity, and initiative by Departmental personnel; be comfortable in recommending and administering disciplinary actions if necessary.
- Have the maturity and professional stature to project a strong professional and personal presence that will quickly establish credibility and gain respect with the Department, the Village, and the region.
- Be proactive, anticipatory, and innovative; be someone who can make difficult decisions and stand behind those decisions.
- Have an open, friendly personality and communication style and a calm demeanor; be one who can establish trust quickly with others.
- Knowledgeable of current trends brining contemporary and fresh ideas to the Department.
- Have a sense of humor.
HOW TO APPLY
Please complete the employment application located at the top right of this page and please include a cover letter and resume. Position will remain open until filled.
If selected, successful completion of a criminal background check, and post-offer physical and drug/alcohol screening, and driver abstract record search are required.
The Village of Brookfield is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
Position:
Director of Public Works
Department:
Public Works
FLSA Status:
Exempt
Union Status:
Non-Union
Date Approved:
May 2, 2023
Objective
Work involves responsibility for planning, directing, administering, and supervising all programs and activities of the department, including street maintenance, snow removal operations, ground and tree maintenance, storm and sanitary sewer maintenance, water operations, automotive maintenance, parks and playground maintenance, and related activities. This position develops long-term strategic plans and capital improvement plans for the department. Work is performed under the administrative direction of the Village Manager who reviews work through conferences and administrative reports for overall program effectiveness.
Relationships
Reports to:
Village Manager
Supervisory Responsibility:
Supervises all Public Works personnel. Exercises supervision both directly and indirectly through subordinates.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
1.
Plans, coordinates, directs, and supervises the programs and activities of the department including street maintenance, snow removal operations, ground and tree maintenance, storm and sanitary sewer maintenance, water operations, automotive maintenance, parks and playground maintenance, and related activities; confers with staff and other officials on issues related to activities.
2.
Interprets Village policies and develops and implements appropriate department rules; regulations; and policies; establishes recordkeeping procedures, methods, and standard operating procedures.
3.
Prepares and administers departmental operating budget; develops long-range plans for facilities and infrastructure improvements; coordinates and administers capital improvements.
4.
Evaluates needs and formulates long- and short-term plans to meet needs in all areas of responsibility, including streets, sidewalks, sewers, forestry, facilities, and traffic control.
5.
Oversees and directs the work of the contractual Village engineer.
6.
Maintains regular contact with and supervises construction project engineers.
7.
Prepares employee payroll records; coordinates departmental purchases; prepares monthly reports and public works materials for Village Board meeting agendas.
8.
Reviews and approves the purchase of equipment, materials, and supplies; approves departmental expenditures.
9.
Trains, schedules, prioritizes, supervises, and evaluates the work of department staff either directly or through a subordinate supervisor.
10.
Coordinates Public Works Department assistance during Village emergency operations.
11.
Actively seeks grants that promote effectiveness in department operations.
12.
Coordinates the preparation of and reviews plans, specifications, and cost estimates for purchase of various equipment and vehicles, and for construction and repair projects; prepares recommendations to the Village Manager.
13.
Attends meetings of local, county, state, and regional agencies related to public works activities; receives citizen complaints and requests; responds to requests for information and assistance from citizens and outside agencies and organizations.
14.
Serves as the Village liaison for all utilities.
Peripheral Duties
1.
Promotes and maintains responsive community relations.
2.
Promotes and adheres to all departmental and Village safety policies.
3.
Perform other duties as assigned.
Training, Education, and Experience
Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering, Public Administration, or related field required; Master’s degree preferred. Five (5) to seven (7) years of experience in municipal public works operations, including experience in a supervisory or managerial capacity. Experience relating to the construction, repair and maintenance of streets, water mains, alleys, parks and playgrounds, trees, equipment, and public facilities. Any equivalent combination of experience and education that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
Thorough knowledge of the principles and practices of public works and public utilities.
Thorough knowledge of the technical aspects of the various programs associated with the Department of Public Works.
Thorough knowledge of construction contract administration and estimating of cost of construction work.
Ability to plan, organize, direct, coordinate, and evaluate the work of employees completing programs of the department.
Ability to analyze and recommend solutions to complex public works and utility problems.
Ability to conduct studies, write in-depth reports, and translate technical information into laymen’s terms.
Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with other Village department, employees, officials, and the public.
Additional Requirements
Must possess a valid Illinois driver’s license.
Tools and Equipment Used
Must have a general knowledge of all tools, vehicles, and equipment needed to perform all public works activities.
Physical Demands
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally required to stand or sit; walk; use hands to finger, handle, feel or operate objects, tools, or controls; and reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl; talk and hear. Hand-eye coordination is necessary to operate computers and various pieces of office equipment. Physical ability to conduct inspections of roadways, sewers, and water main is necessary. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move 100 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.
Work Environment
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Work is predominantly in an office setting with some outdoor work in the inspection of various land use developments, construction sites, or public work facilities. While outdoors, the employee occasionally works in inclement weather conditions, near moving mechanical parts, high, precarious places, wet and/or humid conditions, fumes, or airborne particles, toxic or caustic chemicals, risk of electrical shock, and vibration. The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet in the office to moderate outside.
The employee filling this position is responsible for complying with all written safety rules and regulations together with all instructions from supervisory personnel pertaining to the safe performance of his/her duties.
The duties listed above are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position.
The job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the job change.
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